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PNS Daily Newscast - November 19, 2018.

More than 1,200 missing in the California wildfires. Also on the Monday rundown: A pair of reports on gun violence in the nation; and concerns that proposed changes to 'Green Card' rules favor the wealthy.

Doctors say Asthma Apps for Children Can Save Lives

Mobile apps for people with asthma are especially helpful for kids and parents, but doctors say they aren't all as accurate as they could be. (Virginia Carter)

June 20, 2016

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A team of doctors has developed the first mobile 'app' designed to help children and teens with asthma that is supported by a peer-reviewed pilot study.

That scientific backup is especially important because doctors say not all medical apps deliver what they promise.

Dr. David Stukus, assistant professor of pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital, says every 20 seconds in this country, someone - usually a child - is rushed to an emergency room because of asthma.

"Asthma can be frightening for parents, especially for younger children who can't always verbalize what they may be feeling," says Stukus. "So, with the AsthmaCare app, we hope that we can give them the confidence to help really control their disease and make sure that they administer medications for asthma on a consistent basis."

The AsthmaCare app sends reminders to take medications and allows patients to create and store an emergency plan. It has a symptom diary, and provides links to area pollen stations, to make users aware of allergen levels in the air.

It is free for downloading from the Nationwide Children's Hospital website, for iPad, iPhone and Android devices.

Stukus says there are a lot of asthma apps, but he warns parents to make sure they're actually giving legitimate advice.

"The hard part is nobody's regulating the apps that are out there, so anybody can just produce an app and put it out there for somebody to find," he says. "And that means the apps may have variable quality, some of which may not be evidence-based."

A University of Arkansas report says about 13 percent of adults in the state have asthma, compared to a national rate of just over eight percent, and up to 25 percent of Arkansas children also suffer from this chronic lung condition.